Treatment device, particularly for a transverse sizing machine

ABSTRACT

The present invention pertains to a treating device 1, especially a rotating transverse gluing mechanism for high-speed, register mark-related paper or film webs 2. The movements of the transverse gluing mechanism 1 are synchronized with the web 2, and the transverse gluing mechanism has an independent synchronous drive 6 with a drive motor 7 and a regulating unit for this purpose. The electronic regulating unit compensates variations in the synchronism of the running web 2.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention pertains to a treating device or applicator,especially a rotating transverse gluing mechanism, for high-speed,register mark-related paper or film webs, where pasty or liquidsubstances are applied to a substantially constantly moving web.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Such transverse gluing mechanisms have been known from DE-A 35 27 660,DE-A 41 29 404, EP-A 0 096 832, and EP-A 0 209 110. They are usuallyattached to high-performance rotary printing presses and are used toapply a transverse glue strip to predetermined points of the high-speed,printed paper web. The transverse glue strip is usually located at afold line formed later in the folding device. Its length depends on theprinted and folded format in the transverse and longitudinal directionsand it must therefore be accurate to the register mark. The cylinder ofthe transverse gluing mechanism is wrapped around by the running paperweb at least partially and it rotates at the same circumferentialvelocity as the plate cylinder of the printing press, which has the samediameter. This requires a high precision of the drive of the transversegluing mechanism. The prior-art transverse gluing mechanisms have noseparate drive, but they are driven by a unit of the printing press,e.g., a cardan shaft. The drive is derived via toothed belts,universal-joint shafts, bevel gear pairs and the like. The circumstancethat a printing press is usually retrofitted with a transverse gluingmechanism and that the printing press has no prepared interfaces forthis is problematic. In addition, the drive parts must be calculated andmanufactured for high accuracy, which entails a considerable design andmounting effort in the case of multistep intermediate drives.

A similar device is shown in U.S. Pat. No. 4,370,942. A running paperweb is perforated here by two perforating rollers in some areas. Anadhesive layer is applied to the paper web via a downstream gluespreading roller, with the exception of the perforated areas. Theperforating and glue spreading rollers are coupled and synchronized viaa gear connection.

DE-A 40 31 964 shows a rotary printing device with a printing blockbasic body, which is driven by a controllable drive as a function of aspeed of rotation control function which is different at differentangular positions. The drive is connected to a central control, fromwhich the feed of the material web to be printed on is also controlledvia other controllable drives. The printing block basic body followsdifferent angle and control functions during one revolution, and it isadapted, with a limitation in time, both to an inking roller and thematerial feed and has additional variable velocity functions in between.

CC-A-648 497 discloses a gluing device which has a perforated metalcylinder which rotates synchronously with the substrate web and by whichdrops of glue are continuously applied to the web. The glue is appliedwithout register mark reference. The synchronization between thecylinder and the web is established in a known, not specificallydescribed manner.

SUMMARY AND OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION

The object of the present invention is to show an improved possibilityof attachment for a transverse gluing mechanism or another similartreating device.

This object is accomplished by the present invention having anindependent synchronous drive for rotating the applicator, andsynchronizing the rotation of the applicator with register marks orformat operations of the web, by controlling the independent synchronousdrive. Positions on the web are sensed by one of the reference marksapplied to the moving web, or format operations performed on the movingweb, such as printing, cutting or perforating. These sensed positionsare with respect to the applicator.

The control of the synchronous drive can be with a control regulatingunit, which contains a microprocessor. The sensing of the positions, caneither be by a photosensor to optically detect the register marks, or bya shaft encoder on the cylinder performing such operations as theprinting, cutting or perforating, etcetera. The rotational position ofthe applicator, in comparison with the sensed position of the registermark is used to accurately position the treating of the web.

The treating device or applicator according to the present invention,especially the transverse gluing mechanism, has an independentsynchronous drive. Only the velocity and the register mark reference,i.e., the desired position of the fold line, bonding line or the like,is picked off in a suitable manner from the high-speed paper or film weband is used to control and possibly regulate the synchronous drive. Anexpensive mechanical drive derivation may be abandoned.

The treating device or the transverse gluing mechanism can be attachedto a printing press or another similar suitable processing unit forpaper or film webs more easily and simply, at a lower cost, and withfewer design and space limitations. The economy of the treating deviceor transverse gluing mechanism is increased on the whole.

The synchronous drive also offers more possibilities in adaptation andvariation of the drive. The rigid coupling of the movements of the weband of the treating device or transverse gluing mechanism can beeliminated. Offset values may be entered via the control, so that theglue strip may also be intentionally applied, if desired, before orbehind the fold line in order to better meet the needs of the printedproduct, such as the thickness of the brochure, etc. In addition, it issimpler to bring the cylinder of the transverse gluing mechanism intothe parked position during pauses in operation and then to position itagain exactly and correctly to the register mark when the operation isresumed. Expensive mechanical auxiliary means, e.g., an electromagneticMonninghoff coupling, superimposition couplings or a locking disk with astop lever, are dispensable.

With the synchronous drive according to the present invention, thetreating device has fewer mechanically loaded parts and consequently alonger service life. The amount of maintenance needed is reduced. On theother hand, the drive precision and the velocity can be increased.

The various features of novelty which characterize the invention arepointed out with particularity in the claims annexed to and forming apart of this disclosure. For a better understanding of the invention,its operating advantages and specific objects attained by its uses,reference is made to the accompanying drawings and descriptive matter inwhich preferred embodiments of the invention are illustrated.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

In the drawings:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a transverse gluing mechanism with asynchronous drive along with parts of the printing press, and

FIGS. 2 and 3 are side views of variants of the synchronous drive.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

FIG. 1 shows a cutaway representation of a treating device 1 for ahigh-speed, register mark-related paper or film web 2. As analternative, the web 2 may also consist of cardboard or another,suitable material. This is preferably a printed paper web on ahigh-performance rotary printing press (not shown).

In a preferred embodiment, the treating device 1 is designed as atransverse gluing mechanism, which has one or more rotating cylinders 3,which is/are tightly wrapped around by the web 2 over at least part ofits/their circumference and release(s) at least one glue strip extendingat right angles to the direction of movement to the web 2 through aplurality of outlet openings 4 arranged in one or more lines in thejacket. The length and position of the cylinder 3 is coordinated withthe width of the web 2. Aside from the drive, the transverse gluingmechanism 1 is designed in any known, suitable manner, e.g., accordingto EP-A 0 096 832, EP-A 0 209 110, DE-A 35 27 660, or DE-A 41 29 404.There are deflecting and compensator rollers to adjust the wrappingaround the web. The cylinder 3 may be a multipart cylinder or a cylinderof variable diameter for adaptation to different printed products.

The transverse gluing mechanism 1 is preferably arranged behind the inkdrier and before or at the folder of the rotary printing press. There isonly one transverse gluing mechanism 1 with one cylinder 3 in theexemplary embodiment shown. Depending on the type of the print job,there may also be a plurality of transverse gluing mechanisms 1 as wellas cylinders 3. The cylinders 3 are adjusted and positioned to the widthof the web.

The treating device 1 may also have a different design, e.g., it may bedesigned as a moistening means, etc. It may be any type of rotating orpivoting member which provides the high-speed web 2 with an appliedlayer or processes same in another manner. There is a register markreference, i.e., the application or the treatment takes place at definedpoints in the direction of movement of the web 2, which is predeterminedby the printed format, the folded format or other criteria. Thefollowing explanations given concerning the transverse gluing mechanismalso apply analogously to the other embodiments of the treating device1.

The transverse gluing mechanism 1 has an independent synchronous drive6, which rotates the cylinder 3 in adaptation to the high-speed paper orfilm web 2. The synchronous drive 6 comprises a drive motor 7, e.g., acontrollable d.c. motor, especially a brushless servomotor, and asuitable control circuit 8. The control 8 preferably also contains aregulating unit 9, but it does not do so necessarily in all cases ofapplication.

To synchronize the movements of the web 2 and the cylinder 3, thevelocity of the web and the register mark reference are scanned by atleast one sensing means such as a suitable, calibrated set pointtransducer 12a, 12b, preferably in a contactless manner 12a. This may bedone in various manners. The set point transducer or transducers 12a,12b may be positioned at any desired, suitable point of the printingpress. They are preferably located in the vicinity of the transversegluing mechanism 1. Changes occurring in the web 2 until the transversegluing mechanism 1 is reached, e.g., due to stretching, etc., may beextensively eliminated or at least detected relatively simply andaccurately and may be used to correct the set points.

On the one hand, the web 2 may have register mark-related referencemarks 14, which are, e.g., print control strips, color marks or thelike. These are in a defined relationship with the printed image orprinted format in the direction of movement of the web. The desiredposition of the transverse glue strip may in turn be determined from theposition of the reference marks 14. The reference marks 14 may bescanned by a set point transducer 12a designed as, e.g., an opticalsensor. The velocity of the web 2 may also be calculated from thescanning pulses obtained and the time interval between them.

In another embodiment, the set point transducer 12a, 12b may be designedas, e.g., a shaft encoder 12b, which is arranged at a suitable axis ofrotation that is in connection with a format operaton on the paper weband is related to the register mark. This axis of rotation may be, onthe one hand, the plate cylinder itself. A register mark-related cuttingroller or perforating roller 15 located close by can usually be reachedmore easily and simply. The shaft encoder 12b is preferably at leastcyclically absolute, i.e., it displays each rotation position as anabsolute value during a revolution of the axis. There is a calibrationfor the register mark reference. The number of revolutions may bedetermined from the passages through the zero point. Such a shaftencoder 12b has, e.g., one or more incremental measuring disks, whichrotate together with the axis and are scanned in a suitable manner,e.g., by a photoelectric cell, etc.

There may be one or more set point transducers 12a, 12b, all of whichare connected to the control circuit 8 or regulating unit 9 in terms ofsignal engineering via suitable evaluating and converting units. One ormore actual value transducers (10, 11) are also connected to the controlcircuit 8 or the regulating unit 9.

As is illustrated in FIGS. 2 and 3, the number and the arrangement ofthe actual value transducers (10, 11) may be selected depending on thearrangement of the drive. Cyclically absolute shaft encoders analogousto the above-described embodiment of the set point transducer 12 arepreferably used in both cases. In the exemplary embodiment shown in FIG.2, the drive motor 7 is mounted directly on the axis 5 of the cylinder3. One actual value transducer 10, which is integrated in the drivemotor 7, is sufficient in this case. In FIG. 3, the drive motor 7 isarranged offset next to the cylinder 3 and is connected to same via anintermediate drive 13, e.g., a toothed belt drive, because of spacelimitations. The arrangement of an actual value transducer 10 in thedrive motor 7 and of a second actual value transducer 11 at the axis 5of the cylinder 3 is recommended in this case. The clearance, tolerancesand other transmission errors of the intermediate drive 13 may thus beeliminated.

The actual value transducers (10, 11) are calibrated for the cylinder 3or the drive motor 7. The calibration against the cylinder 3 alsoconcerns the position of the outlet openings 4 on the cylinder jacket.The actual value transducers (10, 11) thus signal the circumferentialvelocity and the angular position of the outlet openings 4.

The synchronism between the movement of the web 2 and the rotation ofthe cylinder 3 is established in the control circuit 8 and the drivemotor 7 is energized correspondingly. An adaptation to changes in thevelocity of the web during the operation, e.g., during the start-upphase and the phase of deceleration, is also performed. A registermark-free or format-free carrying or acceleration of the cylinder 3 maytake place in a selectable, lower speed range of up to, e.g., 15,000rpm. The exact synchronization accurate to the register mark and formatis established after this speed threshold is exceeded. The amount ofwaste paper generated is reduced by the exact synchronization beginningfrom a speed of rotation of the printing press which can be used early.

An index 16, which marks the position of the outlet openings 4 and ispreferably arranged for this purpose directly at the opening strip, maybe additionally arranged at the cylinder 3. The index 16 may be scannedby a suitable sensor 17, e.g., a photoelectric cell, an inductive orcapacitive scanner, preferably in a contactless manner. The sensor 17 isin turn connected to the control circuit 8 or the regulating unit 9 andit additionally signals the rotation position of the cylinder 3 or thepassage of the index. A plurality of sensors 17 may be arranged, and thesensor or sensors 17 may also be aligned with certain significantrotation positions of the cylinder 3. This may be, on the one hand, theparked position, in which a suitable closure (not shown) covers theoutlet openings 4. On the other hand, a sensor 17 may also be arrangedat a significant point in the overlapped area between outlet openings 4and the web 2, i.e., in an area in which the glue is applied.

The control circuit 8 preferably contains a regulating unit 9, whichpermanently performs a comparison of the set points picked off from themovement of the web and the actual values of the movement of thecylinder and motor. Variances are detected in terms of value andduration and are stored at least temporarily. In the case of variances,the regulating unit performs a countercompensation in order tocompensate not only the velocity, but also the accuracy of the registermark. Variances usually also mean a drift of the transverse gluingposition in relation to the desired position at the folding line.Depending on the direction of the actual value, the cylinder is brieflydriven at a higher or lower speed of rotation within the framework ofthe countercompensation in order to countercompensate the deviation andto return the position drift of the transverse gluing mechanism.

The control circuit 8 and the regulating unit 9 are designed aselectronic, preferably computerized and freely programmable circuits.They contain one or more microprocessors, besides data storage devices,interfaces and input/output units. It is also possible to enter, e.g.,fixed or velocity-dependent offset or switch-on values in the controlcircuit 8 or the regulating unit 9. As a result, it is possible to takeinto account varying stretchings of the web 2, temperature variationsand other boundary conditions in the control or the regulation of thesynchronous drive 6.

The glue strip and the register mark reference, especially the foldline, normally coincide. However, the relative position of the gluestrip and the register mark reference may be intentionally changed bybriefly accelerating or decelerating the synchronous drive 6 in relationto the running web or by rotation at standstill. This makes possible anintended gluing next to the fold line.

The control circuit 8 and the regulating unit 9 may be coupled with thepress control of the transverse gluing mechanism 1, be integrated withit integrally or in the manner of a module or be designed as anindependent unit.

Various variants of the exemplary embodiment described are possible. Aseparate synchronous drive 6 of the above-described type may beassociated with each unit in the case of a multiple arrangement oftransverse gluing mechanisms 1 and cylinders 3. As an alternative, it isalso possible to drive a plurality of especially closely spacedcylinders by a common synchronous drive. It is also possible to useseparate drive motors with actual value transducers 11 for the differenttransverse gluing mechanisms in conjunction with a common controlcircuit 8 or regulating unit 9. Depending on the path of the web and theambient conditions, a plurality of synchronous drives 6 may also accessone or more common set point transducers 12.

In another variant of the exemplary embodiments, the set point andactual value transducers (10, 11, 12) may comprise a plurality of units,which detect the velocity and the position of the register markseparately. The velocities may be picked off, e.g., via a tachometergenerator at an axis of rotation, while the rotation position issignaled in another manner, e.g., by indexes or the like.

While specific embodiments of the invention have been shown anddescribed in detail to illustrate the application of the principles ofthe invention, it will be understood that the invention may be embodiedotherwise without departing from such principles.

I claim:
 1. A process for treating a moving web, the process comprisingthe steps of:printing on the web; providing an applicator in a form of arotating cylinder in contact with the web and downstream of saidprinting, said cylinder having applicator means for applying a liquidsubstance to a portion of the web; providing an independent synchronousdrive for rotating said cylinder independently of movement of the web;performing format operations on the web downstream of said applicator;synchronizing said applicator with a velocity of the moving web bycontrolling said independent drive of said applicator, saidsynchronizing including sensing a velocity of the moving web by one ofreference marks applied to the moving web and detecting a status of saidformat operations performed on the moving web.
 2. A process inaccordance with claim 1, further comprising:scanning one of saidvelocity of the web, a position of said reference marks, and said formatoperations in a contactless manner.
 3. A process in accordance withclaim 1, wherein:said synchronization is regulated electronically.
 4. Aprocess in accordance with claim 1, wherein:said synchronization isswitched on or off according to selectable criteria, said selectablecriteria including one of a speed of rotation of said cylinder and a webvelocity reached.
 5. A process in accordance with claim 1, furthercomprising:compensating said synchronizing for external effects,including one of temperature variations of said applicator and the web,and for stretching of the web by varying rotation of said cylinder.
 6. Aprocess in accordance with claim 1, wherein:said synchronizationincludes changing said register marks or format operations bydecelerating or accelerating said applicator in relation to the velocityof the web.
 7. An apparatus for treating a moving web discharged from aprinting press, the apparatus comprising:a rotating cylinder, saidcylinder having applicator means for applying a liquid substance to aportion of the web downstream from the printing press; format means forperforming format operations on the web downstream from said applicatormeans; sensing means for sensing a position of the web by one of areference mark on the web and a status of one of the printing press andsaid format means; independent synchronous drive means for synchronizingsaid applicator means with said position of the moving web as sensed bysaid sensing means, said independent synchronous drive means includingcontrolling rotation of said cylinder independently of movement of theweb, operation of the printing press and operation of the format means.8. An apparatus in accordance with claim 7, wherein:said synchronousdrive means has a drive motor and a regulating unit for synchronizationof movements of said applicator means and of said web to said registermarks or said format operation means.
 9. An apparatus in accordance withclaim 8, wherein:said regulating unit has a programmable electroniccircuit.
 10. An apparatus in accordance with claim 8, wherein:saidregulating unit countercompensates variations in synchronism.
 11. Anapparatus in accordance with claim 7, wherein:said sensing means has atleast one set point transducer means for detecting at least one of avelocity of the web, and a position of said register mark.
 12. Anapparatus in accordance with claim 8, wherein:said synchronous drivemeans has at least one actual value transducer means for detecting aspeed of rotation of said drive motor.
 13. An apparatus in accordancewith claim 8, wherein:said synchronous drive means has at least one setpoint transducer means for detecting at least one of a velocity of theweb, and a position of said register mark; said synchronous drive meanshas at least one actual value transducer means for detecting a speed ofrotation of said drive motor; one of said set point transducer and saidactual value transducer is a cyclically absolute shaft encoder.
 14. Anapparatus in accordance with claim 13, wherein:said set point transduceris arranged at said register mark or at said format means; said formatmeans including one of a related cutting means, bonding means, foldingmeans and a perforating roller.
 15. An apparatus in accordance withclaim 13, wherein:said set point transducer is a scanning means forscanning said reference marks on the web.
 16. An apparatus in accordancewith claim 14, wherein:said synchronous drive means has an index at oneof said cylinder and at said one of said cutting means or saidperforating roller for identifying a position of outlet openings of saidapplicator means, said synchronous drive means has an additionalscanning means for scanning said index.
 17. A process for treating amoving web, the process comprising the steps of:printing on said web;applying a strip of liquid across the web in a direction transversely toa moving direction of the web, said applying including rotating acylinder in contact with the web, said cylinder having applicator meansfor applying said liquid to the web; performing format operations on theweb downstream of said applying of said strip of liquid; providing anindependent synchronous drive for rotating said cylinder independentlyof movement of the web, independently of said printing and independentlyof said format operations; synchronizing said applying of said strip ofliquid with positions on the moving web by controlling said independentdrive of said cylinder, said synchronizing including detecting saidpositions on the web by one of sensing reference marks on the web andmeasuring a status of one of said printing and said format operations.18. A process in accordance with claim 17, wherein:said formatoperations include one of folding, cutting, bonding and perforating theweb.
 19. A process in accordance with claim 17, wherein:said measuringof said status of said printing and format operations is by shaftencoder means for measuring rotational positions of structure performingsaid printing and said format operations.
 20. A process in accordancewith claim 17, wherein:said printing creates a repetitive pattern on theweb; said applying of said strip of liquid is performed repetitively onthe web; said liquid is an adhesive.